Respectable Murders: A Scottish Castle Cosy Mystery

Joana Snowdon

Aug 2026 · The Highland Mysteries Book 4 · Highland Quill Publishing

About this ebook

Easy To Fall In Love With Scotland. Harder To Survive The Fall.

Part of the Highland Mysteries series, which can be read in any order. Each case Joana and Brian take on stands on its own.

Joana has just about managed to unpack her kettle in her new Aberdeenshire cottage when DCI Fraser appears in need of a favour. Nothing straightforward, naturally. Someone is quietly murdering guests at Lord Montgomery's blue-blooded Highland matchmaking events, and Fraser wants Joana and Brian to ask awkward questions without upsetting the Scottish aristocracy. Or at least, not more than usual.

Brian insists on calling it the 'Toff Killer' case, a name Joana refuses to endorse, though he is insufferably pleased with it. The chase takes them through crumbling castles, affronted Highland cows, tartan-heavy soirées, and the most passive-aggressive tea rooms in the British Isles.

Joana and Brian bicker. They blunder. They occasionally border on brilliant. As the bodies pile up and the suspects become ever more blasé, their 'small favour' starts to look suspiciously like actual danger. Typical.

Respectable Murders is Book 4 in the Highland Mystery series, which can be read in any order. As much comedy as cosy crime, with a sleuthing pair who don't take themselves too seriously. Their friendship has outlasted most marriages, possibly because they can never agree on anything, though they're firmly on the same side when it matters. A proper whodunit with a fast, page-turning plot and the kind of dry British humour that can bite. And, as ever, Scotland steals the show.

Ratings and reviews

Whimsical amateur sleuth duo🏰🔍Another fun, Scotland set cozy murder mystery with photojournalists Joana Snowdon & Brian Goodfellow. Joana is the perceptive investigative leader of this duo; Brian is the heart of the comic & whimsical side, Joana's sidekick, & his antics always make me smile. Central figures like DCI Fraser & Constable Murray return (they appear throughout the series) but pompous Fraser, who has resented their interference in past cases, actually solicits their help. Great fun!

Joana and Brian are back st their sleuthing in this tinder for the financially elite cosy mystery. The blending of modern day matchmaking with what we typically think of a regency London was brilliantly executed. Of course you have Joana, the steady, thoughtful, eye for detail partner, and Brian, who happens to stumble upon important information or evidence by sheer chance - and we love him for it!! These two make a humorous and idyllic duo as they scour the Highlands for culprit.